The Globe and Mail reports today that, “Trade Minister Peter Van Loan and his American counterpart (US Trade Representative Ron Kirk) emerged from a bilateral meeting in Ottawa Thursday touting the merits of expanded international free trade.”
What did they agree on?
– “their shared values and interests (in) resisting protectionist measures and promoting transparency”
– “to get together twice a year to discuss any trade issues that arise between the neighbouring countries”
– “a possible agreement on government procurement”
– “as of September, (that) Canada would take over the collection of a 10-per-cent duty that has been imposed on softwood products from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan”
– “that (the Doha round of WTO talks) will be successfully concluded”
The full report is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/canada-us-trumpet-free-trade-progress/article1648842/.
